Yumeng Xi
About
Yumeng Xi is a 2D animator and a graphic designer with an interest in the relation between individuals and the universe. She started her explorations on this topic in the form of moving images when studying at the Royal College of Art. Her film The Insignificant Fantasies in the Cracks of Daily Life has been screened at Boil, Royal College of Art, London (2019) and at the 5th Detroit International Festival of Animation, Detroit (2020).
Yumeng received her BA degree in Illustration and Visual Media at London College of Communication with first-class honours. Previous to this she graduated from Donghua University with a double degree in Product Design (BE) and New Media Design (BA).
Statement
Yumeng is skilled in making gifs, including making motion graphics. She uses moving image fragments as visual materials to build larger fictional worlds. Through her colourful works, she presents the contrast between the sugar-coated fantasies and the melancholy hidden behind them. The universe is indifferent. The melancholy is generated from the physical limitations of human beings, especially in front of the vastness of the cosmos. Yet the countless possibilities of our spiritual world and emotional connections give us the strength to handle secularity and let us chase eternity simultaneously.
Stay Sober
Stay Sober is about an introverted girl who always wants to stay quiet in front of people. But every time she hides her emotions, some part of her body will turn mechanical, making her feel more conspicuous. This dilemma brings her into a dream that is not to wake up.
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If I were a robot
I do not have to guess what you mean
I can ask for a command
so that everything becomes clear and effective
and you would not blame me for that
because I am just a robot
That mask is not a disguise
but a carefully wrapped present
give you a sweet apple
eat it, be a fool forever
Escape from here
and wake up from the dream
but she is not looking for an exit
the sea is syrup
the sky is clementine
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Music: Zhicheng Yang
Sound Effects: Yumeng Xi
Sound Mix: Mikolaj Szatko
Drawing & Colouring Assistance: Áron Siegler, Jun Chen, Yitong Wang